Pediatric Chiropractor in Kalamazoo, MI
Gentle chiropractic care for babies, kids, and teens from Kalamazoo and Portage families. Every visit starts with a careful exam of your child's spine and nervous system, so you know how their body is working and what, if anything, may help them function at their best.
Why a Child's Nervous System Matters
Your child's nervous system, the brain, spinal cord, and the nerves that branch out from them, is the body's communication network. It helps coordinate movement, balance, posture, and how the body senses and responds to the world. In the first years of life it grows and changes faster than at almost any other time, while kids are learning to hold up their heads, crawl, walk, run, and play sports.
The spine surrounds and protects the spinal cord. Childhood is full of stresses on that growing spine: the birth process, hours in car seats and carriers, learning to walk (and falling down a lot), heavy backpacks, screen-time posture, and youth sports. Most kids handle these just fine. Sometimes, though, a stiff joint, tight muscles, or a posture habit can make a child uncomfortable or less able to move freely.
That is why we believe in having a child's spine and nervous system examined. A gentle pediatric chiropractic exam looks at how your child moves, how their reflexes and muscle tone respond, and whether there are areas of tension or restricted motion. The goal is simple: help your child's body work and move the way it is designed to, so they can function optimally as they grow.
How Gentle Pediatric Chiropractic Works at Our Kalamazoo Clinic
- History first. We talk with you about pregnancy and birth, feeding, sleep, milestones, falls, sports, and what you have noticed at home.
- A kid-friendly exam. We check posture, spinal and hip motion, head and neck movement, reflexes, and muscle tone, often through observation and play. If something needs your pediatrician or a specialist, we will tell you.
- Clear findings. We explain what we found in plain language and whether chiropractic care is a good fit.
- Age-appropriate adjustments. Infants get light fingertip pressure, about what you would use to test a ripe tomato, with no twisting or cracking. Older kids and teens get gentle adjustments scaled to their size. A parent stays with the child, and nothing is done without your consent.
Children are not small adults, and we never treat them like they are. Care is adapted to your child's age, size, comfort, and exam findings. Learn more about our approach to chiropractic adjustments or what to expect at a first visit.
Why Parents Bring Their Kids to a Chiropractor
These are some of the most common reasons Kalamazoo and Portage parents look for a kids chiropractor. Chiropractic care is not a replacement for your pediatrician, and research on some of these concerns is still limited. What we can offer is a gentle, careful look at your child's spine, muscles, and nervous system, and honest feedback about whether we may be able to help.
Newborn and Infant Checkups
Many parents want their baby checked after a long labor, a C-section, or a vacuum or forceps delivery. An infant chiropractic exam looks at how freely the baby's neck, spine, and hips move.
Colic, Fussiness, and Trouble Settling
A baby who cries for hours, arches their back, or struggles to settle is exhausting for the whole family. We do not claim to cure colic. Some parents bring their baby in to check for neck or spinal tension that may affect comfort and sleep. Please have your pediatrician rule out medical causes first.
Breastfeeding and Latch Difficulties
Babies who prefer one breast, break suction often, or have trouble turning their head may have tension in the neck or jaw. Gentle care may help some babies feed more comfortably and works best alongside a lactation consultant (IBCLC).
Head Tilt, Torticollis, and Flat Spots
If your baby always turns their head one way or has trouble with tummy time, we can check neck motion and muscle tension. Torticollis is commonly managed with your pediatrician and a pediatric physical therapist, and our care is meant to support that team, not replace it.
Recurring Ear Infections
Parents of kids with frequent ear infections often search for chiropractic. We do not treat ear infections themselves, and an active infection needs your child's doctor. Research has shown that kids under chiropractic care tend to have fewer ear infections, and many families choose an exam to check the neck and upper spine for tension that may affect drainage and comfort.
Sports Injuries and Active Kids
Youth football, soccer, hockey, gymnastics, and dance all put stress on growing joints. We see young athletes for back and neck pain, bumps and falls, and help with movement and recovery between seasons.
Posture, Backpacks, and Tech Neck
Heavy backpacks, tablets, and long homework sessions can lead to rounded shoulders and neck strain. We check posture and spinal motion and give simple tips and stretches for home and school.
Headaches and Neck or Back Pain
Tension-type and neck-related headaches are more common in kids and teens than many people realize. After an exam, gentle care and posture work may help. New, severe, or worsening headaches should always be checked by your child's doctor first.
Growing Pains and Scoliosis Screening
Growth spurts can bring achy legs, tight hamstrings, and uneven shoulders or hips. We screen for signs of scoliosis and refer for X-rays or to a specialist when needed.
A Family Chiropractor for Kalamazoo and Portage Kids
Soldano Family Chiropractic Center has cared for Kalamazoo families since 2008. Parents often get adjusted here first and then bring in their kids. Our pediatric room, complete with a giraffe bench, is set up so little ones feel relaxed and older kids feel at home.
Our office on South Park Street is an easy drive from Portage, Western Michigan University, and the neighborhoods around Kalamazoo. Learn more about Dr. Garrett Soldano, D.C., and Dr. Tiffany Newcastle, D.C., or read why families choose our clinic.
What to expect at your first visitKids We See
- Newborns and infants
- Toddlers and preschoolers
- School-age kids
- Teens
- Student athletes
- Kids with posture concerns
Office hours: Monday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: Closed
Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
Pediatric Chiropractic FAQ
Is chiropractic safe for babies and kids?
When it is done by a licensed chiropractor using gentle, low-force techniques matched to the child's age and size, serious problems are rare. Mild, short-lived fussiness or soreness can happen. That is why every child starts with a careful history and exam, and why we refer to your pediatrician when something needs medical care first.
At what age can a child see a chiropractor?
There is no set minimum age. We see newborns, toddlers, school-age kids, and teens. What changes with age is the technique: infants get light fingertip pressure, and older kids and teens get gentle care scaled to their size.
Does a kids' chiropractic adjustment hurt?
Pediatric adjustments are very gentle. For babies it is about the pressure you would use to check a ripe tomato, with no twisting or cracking. We explain each step, and a parent stays with the child the whole time.
Do I need a referral from my pediatrician?
In most cases, no. We are happy to work alongside your child's pediatrician. Insurance plans vary, so call our office and we will help you check coverage.
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Schedule Your Child's Exam
Call our Kalamazoo office or send us a message to book a gentle pediatric chiropractic exam. We welcome kids and families from Kalamazoo, Portage, and the surrounding area.